The Impact Cigarettes Have on The Human Body 🚬

Pick one of the following topics:

Drug of your choice
Alcohol
Vapes
Cigarettes
Stress

You need to research and explain how your topic affects physical wellbeing. You need to include the following: 

• 5 effects on physical wellbeing
• How your topic effects physical wellbeing e.g what what does it to do your physical wellbeing. EXT: Cover all 4 dimensions.
• What could be done to improve physical wellbeing if this issue affects you or someone you know.  

The effects that cigarettes have on your physical wellbeing include, but are not limited to: 

Lung disease.

Smoking damages your airways and air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. Because cigarettes irritate and inflame the lungs, smoking can destroy lung tissue. This decreases the volume of the lungs, impacting how much oxygen can be transported to critical parts of the body such as the heart and cells. 

An example of a lung disease caused by smoking is 'Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease' or COPD. The disease blocks airflow to the lungs and makes it difficult for a person to breathe. In New Zealand, almost all cases of COPD is smoking-related. 

Increased likelihood of strokes

Smoking regularly doubles your chances of suffering a stroke. Strokes are characterised by a sudden interruption in the blood flow to the brain. This can lead to death or brain damage as a lack of blood - which carries oxygen and other nutrients - is life-threatening. 

Smoking cigarettes regularly only increases your chances of suffering a stroke. Furthermore, smoking increases the likelihood of dying from a stroke by 50%. 

Impacts on skin

Though not life-threatening, smoking can directly impact the appearance of those that take part in the activity. Smokers have much wrinklier, aged skin in comparison to those that don't smoke. This is because smoking decreases blood flow. This affects elastin and collagen, which are tissues in your skin that are responsible for the appearance of wrinkles. So, along with an enormous number of health disadvantages, your appearance will be extremely impacted by smoking. 

Gangrene

When a human's body tissues die due to a lack of oxygen, they likely have gangrene, and this is most prominently caused by smoking. The parts of your body more likely to be impacted by gangrene include your toes, fingers, and internal organs. Gangrene is caused by a lack of oxygen - an underlying symptom that smoking causes, as we've discussed - and results in the death and blackening of parts of the body. 

Impacts on mouth

Not only does smoking cause foul breath, but smoking is the underlying cause of many gum and mouth diseases that can seriously impact your appearance and overall health. Furthermore, oral cancer is something that can develop the longer you smoke. The first signs of oral cancer are typically a sore or lump in your mouth that doesn't go away, and it is very important to contact your GP if you are concerned. 

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How cigarettes impact the other Hauora dimensions. 

Taha Wairua - spiritual wellbeing

Some religions are against smoking, which is a direct impact to your Taha Wairua (spiritual well being). Examples of these religions include Jehovah's Witnesses, Christianity, as they believe smoking is a sin, and therefore do not participate in it. 

Taha Whanau - social and family wellbeing

In New Zealand, smoking has an impact on the families and friends of those who participate. Smoking is very expensive to do so and can cause fights between families, which can lead to domestic violence and other issues. Furthermore, it is common for people, particularly teenagers and young adults, to hide their smoking habits. This makes it evident that smoking is not as socially accepted in New Zealand today.

Taha Hinengaro - mental and emotional wellbeing

Perhaps one of the most dangerous reasons why smokers keep smoking, nicotine, which is found in cigarettes, temporarily relaxes the body, decreases anger and stress, and reduces appetite. This impacts your mental and emotional wellbeing -  it may seem like a benefit, but this is just one of the many factors that allow New Zealanders to stay addicted to smoking. 

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Watch the following video below to learn more about smoking in New Zealand.